Building a Stronger Future for Montclair State

Several
recent University Advancement efforts are helping to build a stronger future
for the University:

*More
than 300 members of the University community and friends gathered at the
University Hall Conference Center on April 29 for the Montclair State
University Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Dinner. President Susan A. Cole
announced that the remarkable sum of around $300,000 had been raised for
student scholarships. This year’s recipient of the Carpe Diem Award was Susan
L. Blount, senior vice president and general counsel of Prudential Financial,
Inc. and a member of the University Board of Trustees since 1996.

Also
honored at the dinner were six Montclair State students who have distinguished
themselves as embodying the University’s “Seize the Day” spirit.

*Plans
are well underway to name a seminar room in Finley Hall in memory of Spanish
professor Teresa de Escoriaza, affectionately known to her students as “Scory,”
who taught at Montclair State from 1929 to 1959. William De Lorenzo ’59 ’64 MA,
John T. Riordan ’59, and Protase E. “Woody” Woodford ’57 ’62 MA are the leaders
of the campaign. So far they are halfway to their $50,000 goal. An anonymous
donor has pledged to match what is raised up to $25,000.

Scory
was a woman ahead of her time: a correspondent from New York for major Spanish
newspapers of the day, the first woman’s voice on the new medium of radio in
Spain, a battlefield reporter on the wars in Spanish Morocco, and a friend and
confidante of many of the major Spanish writers and artists of her day.

“Scory
was intent on making us something much more than just superior teachers,” says
Riordan. “She was helping us be better human beings, and to be more aware of
our potential and of the world in which we could put it to productive use.”

On
September 22, 2010, Scory’s former students and other admirers will celebrate
her life and legacy at a reception on campus. For more information, contact
Judy Linder ’83 at 973-655-5454 or linderj@mail.montclair.edu.

*Dr. S.
Marie Kuhnen ’41 was a beloved biology professor at Montclair State for 41
years. The first chair of Montclair State’s biology department, she is
remembered fondly by her students and colleagues as a wonderful teacher,
mentor, and friend. She worked tirelessly in partnership with The Nature
Conservancy well before most people had an appreciation of protecting unique
natural communities.

According
to former student Barbara Brummer ’68, “She touched so many of her students’
lives and instilled her spirit and enthusiasm for the plants and birds around
the world…We will remember her—energetic, demanding, but fair—a woman whose
passion and energy changed lives.”

A
celebration of Dr. Kuhnen’s life was held on October 3, 2009, and a scholarship
has been created in her memory. For more information, contact Kathy Walsh at
973-655-3440 or walshk@mail.montclair.edu.

*Madelon
Grimm Wehner ’39 left a bequest for $1.5 million in her will, designated for
the College of Science and Mathematics. Wehner was on the debating team during
her student days at Montclair State. She was active in many community,
religious, and alumni affairs.